Abstract: In this paper a hybrid technique of Genetic Algorithm
and Simulated Annealing (HGASA) is applied for Fractal Image
Compression (FIC). With the help of this hybrid evolutionary
algorithm effort is made to reduce the search complexity of matching
between range block and domain block. The concept of Simulated
Annealing (SA) is incorporated into Genetic Algorithm (GA) in order
to avoid pre-mature convergence of the strings. One of the image
compression techniques in the spatial domain is Fractal Image
Compression but the main drawback of FIC is that it involves more
computational time due to global search. In order to improve the
computational time along with acceptable quality of the decoded
image, HGASA technique has been proposed. Experimental results
show that the proposed HGASA is a better method than GA in terms
of PSNR for Fractal image Compression.
Abstract: In this paper, a numerical study has been made to
analyze the transient 2-D flows of a viscous incompressible fluid
through channels with forward or backward constriction. Problems
addressed include flow through sudden contraction and sudden
expansion channel geometries with rounded and increasingly sharp
reentrant corner. In both the cases, numerical results are presented for
the separation and reattachment points, streamlines, vorticity and
flow patterns. A fourth order accurate compact scheme has been
employed to efficiently capture steady state solutions of the
governing equations. It appears from our study that sharpness of the
throat in the channel is one of the important parameters to control the
strength and size of the separation zone without modifying the
general flow patterns. The comparison between the two cases shows
that the upstream geometry plays a significant role on vortex growth
dynamics.
Abstract: Considering today-s increasing speed of change,
radical and innovative improvement - Kaikaku, is a necessity parallel
to continuous incremental improvement - Kaizen, especially for
SME-s in order to attain the competitive edge needed to be profitable.
During 2011, a qualitative single case study with the objective of
realizing a kaikaku in production has been conducted. The case study
was run as a one year project using a collaborative approach
including both researchers and company representatives. The case
study was conducted with the purpose of gaining further knowledge
about kaikaku realization as well as its implications. The empirical
results provide insights about the great productivity results achieved
by applying a specific kaikaku realization approach. However, it also
sheds light on the difficulty and contradiction of combining
innovation management and production system development.
Abstract: Free and open source software is gaining popularity at
an unprecedented rate of growth. Organizations despite some
concerns about the quality have been using them for various
purposes. One of the biggest concerns about free and open source
software is post release software defects and their fixing. Many
believe that there is no appropriate support available to fix the bugs.
On the contrary some believe that due to the active involvement of
internet user in online forums, they become a major source of
communicating the identification and fixing of defects in open source
software. The research model of this empirical investigation
establishes and studies the relationship between open source software
defects and online public forums. The results of this empirical study
provide evidence about the realities of software defects myths of
open source software. We used a dataset consist of 616 open source
software projects covering a broad range of categories to study the
research model of this investigation. The results of this investigation
show that online forums play a significant role identifying and fixing
the defects in open source software.
Abstract: Microarray experiments are information rich; however, extensive data mining is required to identify the patterns that characterize the underlying mechanisms of action. For biologists, a key aim when analyzing microarray data is to group genes based on the temporal patterns of their expression levels. In this paper, we used an iterative clustering method to find temporal patterns of gene expression. We evaluated the performance of this method by applying it to real sporulation data and simulated data. The patterns obtained using the iterative clustering were found to be superior to those obtained using existing clustering algorithms.
Abstract: Wrist pulse analysis for identification of health status
is found in Ancient Indian as well as Chinese literature. The preprocessing
of wrist pulse is necessary to remove outlier pulses and
fluctuations prior to the analysis of pulse pressure signal. This paper
discusses the identification of irregular pulses present in the pulse
series and intricacies associated with the extraction of time domain
pulse features. An approach of Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) has
been utilized for the identification of outlier pulses in the wrist pulse
series. The ambiguity present in the identification of pulse features is
resolved with the help of first derivative of Ensemble Average of
wrist pulse series. An algorithm for detecting tidal and dicrotic notch
in individual wrist pulse segment is proposed.
Abstract: This paper present some preliminary work on the
preparation and physicochemical caracterization of nanocomposite
MFI-alumina structures based on alumina hollow fibres. The fibers
are manufactured by a wet spinning process. α-alumina particles were
dispersed in a solution of polysulfone in NMP. The resulting slurry is
pressed through the annular gap of a spinneret into a precipitation
bath. The resulting green fibres are sintered. The mechanical strength
of the alumina hollow fibres is determined by a three-point-bending
test while the pore size is characterized by bubble-point testing. The
bending strength is in the range of 110 MPa while the average pore
size is 450 nm for an internal diameter of 1 mm and external diameter
of 1.7 mm. To characterize the MFI membranes various techniques
were used for physicochemical characterization of MFI–ceramic
hollow fibres membranes: The nitrogen adsorption, X-ray
diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy combined with X
emission microanalysis. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and
Energy Dispersive Microanalysis by the X-ray were used to observe
the morphology of the hollow fibre membranes (thickness,
infiltration into the carrier, defects, homogeneity). No surface film,
has been obtained, as observed by SEM and EDX analysis and
confirmed by high temperature variation of N2 and CO2 gas
permeances before cation exchange. Local analysis and characterise
(SEM and EDX) and overall (by ICP elemental analysis) were
conducted on two samples exchanged to determine the quantity and
distribution of the cation of cesium on the cross section fibre of the
zeolite between the cavities.
Abstract: In this study, three subtypes of influenza A viruses (pH1N1, H5N1 and H3N2) which naturally infected human were analyzed by bioinformatic approaches to find candidate human cellular miRNAs targeting viral genomes. There were 76 miRNAs targeting influenza A viruses. Among these candidates, 70 miRNAs were subtypes specifically targeting each subtype of influenza A virus including 21 miRNAs targeted subtype H1N1, 27 miRNAs targeted subtype H5N1 and 22 miRNAs targeted subtype H3N2. The remaining 6 miRNAs target on multiple subtypes of influenza A viruses. Uniquely, hsa-miR-3145 is the only one candidate miRNA targeting PB1 gene of all three subtypes. Obviously, most of the candidate miRNAs are targeting on polymerase complex genes (PB2, PB1 and PA) of influenza A viruses. This study predicted potential human miRNAs targeting on different subtypes of influenza A viruses which might be useful for inhibition of viral replication and for better understanding of the interaction between virus and host cell.
Abstract: Texture classification is a trendy and a catchy
technology in the field of texture analysis. Textures, the repeated
patterns, have different frequency components along different
orientations. Our work is based on Texture Classification and its
applications. It finds its applications in various fields like Medical
Image Classification, Computer Vision, Remote Sensing,
Agricultural Field, and Textile Industry. Weed control has a major
effect on agriculture. A large amount of herbicide has been used for
controlling weeds in agriculture fields, lawns, golf courses, sport
fields, etc. Random spraying of herbicides does not meet the exact
requirement of the field. Certain areas in field have more weed
patches than estimated. So, we need a visual system that can
discriminate weeds from the field image which will reduce or even
eliminate the amount of herbicide used. This would allow farmers to
not use any herbicides or only apply them where they are needed. A
machine vision precision automated weed control system could
reduce the usage of chemicals in crop fields. In this paper, an
intelligent system for automatic weeding strategy Multi Resolution
Combined Statistical & spatial Frequency is used to discriminate the
weeds from the crops and to classify them as narrow, little and broad
weeds.
Abstract: The use of wind energy for electricity generation is
growing rapidly across the world and in Portugal. However, the
geographical characteristics of the country along with the average
wind regime and with the environmental restrictions imposed to these
projects create limitations to the exploit of the onshore wind
resource. The best onshore wind spots are already committed and the
possibility of offshore wind farms in the Portuguese cost is now
being considered. This paper aims to make a contribution to the
evaluation of offshore wind power projects in Portugal. The technical
restrictions are addressed and the strategic, environmental and
financial interest of the project is analysed from the private company
and public points of view. The results suggest that additional support
schemes are required to ensure private investors interest for these
projects. Assuming an approach of direct substitution of energy
sources for electricity generation, the avoided CO2 equivalent
emissions for an offshore wind power project were quantified. Based
on the conclusions, future research is proposed to address the
environmental and social impacts of these projects.
Abstract: Flow-shop scheduling problem (FSP) deals with the
scheduling of a set of jobs that visit a set of machines in the same
order. The FSP is NP-hard, which means that an efficient algorithm
for solving the problem to optimality is unavailable. To meet the
requirements on time and to minimize the make-span performance of
large permutation flow-shop scheduling problems in which there are
sequence dependent setup times on each machine, this paper
develops one hybrid genetic algorithms (HGA). Proposed HGA
apply a modified approach to generate population of initial
chromosomes and also use an improved heuristic called the iterated
swap procedure to improve initial solutions. Also the author uses
three genetic operators to make good new offspring. The results are
compared to some recently developed heuristics and computational
experimental results show that the proposed HGA performs very
competitively with respect to accuracy and efficiency of solution.
Abstract: This study adopts a qualitative approach, which
engages in the dialectical discussion on two levels of dyad opposite
views. The first level of the dyad opposite views is the Western
strategic perspective and the Eastern Tai-Chi thinking. The second
level of the dyad opposite views is resource-based view and resource
dependence theory. This study concludes the resource-oriented actions
for competitive advantage as the metaphor of Tai-Chi consisted of yin
and yang. This study argues that the focal firm should adopt bridging
strategy during the core competence development period because its
core competence development is likely to meet its competitor’s needs
of exploring strategy during the competitor’s external resource
development stage. In addition, the focal firm should adopt buffering
strategy during the external resource development period to prevent its
competitor’s the exploiting strategy from attack during the
competitor’s core competence development stage. Consequently, this
study takes a significant first step toward a novel contextualize
understanding of resource development based on strategic perspective
and Tai-Chi thinking providing more fully sustainable strategy for
competitive advantage.
Abstract: This paper proposes a modeling method of the laws controlling manufacturing systems with temporal and non temporal constraints. A methodology of robust control construction generating the margins of passive and active robustness is being elaborated. Indeed, two paramount models are presented in this paper. The first utilizes the P-time Petri Nets which is used to manage the flow type disturbances. The second, the quality model, exploits the Intervals Constrained Petri Nets (ICPN) tool which allows the system to preserve its quality specificities. The redundancy of the robustness of the elementary parameters between passive and active is also used. The final model built allows the correlation of temporal and non temporal criteria by putting two paramount models in interaction. To do so, a set of definitions and theorems are employed and affirmed by applicator examples.
Abstract: Monoculture and mixed cultures of microalgae and
the oleaginous yeast for microbial oil productions were investigated
using sugarcane juice as carbon substrate. The monoculture of yeast
Torulaspora maleeae Y30, Torulaspora globosa YU5/2 grew faster
than that of microalgae Chlorella sp. KKU-S2. In monoculture of T.
maleeae Y30, a biomass of 8.267g/L with lipid yield of 0.920g/L
were obtained, while 8.333g/L of biomass with lipid yield of
1.141g/L were obtained for monoculture of T. globosa YU5/2. A
biomass of 1.933g/L with lipid yield of 0.052g/L was found for
monoculture of Chlorella sp. KKU-S2. The biomass concentration in
the mixed culture of the oleaginous yeast with microalgae increased
faster and was higher compared with that in the monocultures. A
biomass of 8.733g/L with lipid yield of 1.564g/L was obtained for a
mixed culture of T. maleeae Y30 with Chlorella sp. KKU-S2, while
8.010g/L of biomass with lipid yield of 2.424g/L was found for
mixed culture of T. globosa YU5/2 with Chlorella sp. KKU-S2.
Maximum cell yield coefficient (YX/S, g/L) was found of 0.323 in
monoculture of Chlorella sp. KKU-S2 but low level of both specific
yield of lipid (YP/X, g lipid/g cells) of 0.027 and volumetric lipid
production rate (QP, g/L/d) of 0.003 were observed. While, maximum
YP/X (0.303), QP (0.105) and maximum process product yield (YP/S,
0.061) were obtained in mixed culture of T. globosa YU5/2 with
Chlorella sp. KKU-S2. The results obtained from the study shows
that mixed culture of yeast with microalgae is a desirable cultivation
process for microbial oil production.
Abstract: Thousands of masters athletes participate
quadrennially in the World Masters Games (WMG), yet this cohort
of athletes remains proportionately under-investigated. Due to a
growing global obesity pandemic in context of benefits of physical
activity across the lifespan, the BMI trends for this unique population
was of particular interest. The nexus between health, physical
activity and aging is complex and has raised much interest in recent
times due to the realization that a multifaceted approach is necessary
in order to counteract the obesity pandemic. By investigating age
based trends within a population adhering to competitive sport at
older ages, further insight might be gleaned to assist in understanding
one of many factors influencing this relationship.BMI was derived
using data gathered on a total of 6,071 masters athletes (51.9% male,
48.1% female) aged 25 to 91 years ( =51.5, s =±9.7), competing at
the Sydney World Masters Games (2009). Using linear and loess
regression it was demonstrated that the usual tendency for prevalence
of higher BMI increasing with age was reversed in the sample. This
trend in reversal was repeated for both male and female only sub-sets
of the sample participants, indicating the possibility of improved
prevalence of BMI with increasing age for both the sample as a
whole and these individual sub-groups.This evidence of improved
classification in one index of health (reduced BMI) for masters
athletes (when compared to the general population) implies there are
either improved levels of this index of health with aging due to
adherence to sport or possibly the reduced BMI is advantageous and
contributes to this cohort adhering (or being attracted) to masters
sport at older ages.
Abstract: It is expected that ubiquitous era will come soon. A ubiquitous environment has features like peer-to-peer and nomadic environments. Such features can be represented by peer-to-peer systems and mobile ad-hoc networks (MANETs). The features of P2P systems and MANETs are similar, appealing for implementing P2P systems in MANET environment. It has been shown that, however, the performance of the P2P systems designed for wired networks do not perform satisfactorily in mobile ad-hoc environment. Subsequently, this paper proposes a method to improve P2P performance using cross-layer design and the goodness of a node as a peer. The proposed method uses routing metric as well as P2P metric to choose favorable peers to connect. It also utilizes proactive approach for distributing peer information. According to the simulation results, the proposed method provides higher query success rate, shorter query response time and less energy consumption by constructing an efficient overlay network.
Abstract: The research investigates the “impact of VLE on mathematical concepts acquisition of the special education needs (SENs) students at KS4 secondary education sector" in England. The overall aim of the study is to establish possible areas of difficulties to approach for above or below knowledge standard requirements for KS4 students in the acquisition and validation of basic mathematical concepts. A teaching period, in which virtual learning environment (Fronter) was used to emphasise different mathematical perception and symbolic representation was carried out and task based survey conducted to 20 special education needs students [14 actually took part]. The result shows that students were able to process information and consider images, objects and numbers within the VLE at early stages of acquisition process. They were also able to carry out perceptual tasks but with limiting process of different quotient, thus they need teacher-s guidance to connect them to symbolic representations and sometimes coach them through. The pilot study further indicates that VLE curriculum approaches for students were minutely aligned with mathematics teaching which does not emphasise the integration of VLE into the existing curriculum and current teaching practice. There was also poor alignment of vision regarding the use of VLE in realisation of the objectives of teaching mathematics by the management. On the part of teacher training, not much was done to develop teacher-s skills in the technical and pedagogical aspects of VLE that is in-use at the school. The classroom observation confirmed teaching practice will find a reliance on VLE as an enhancer of mathematical skills, providing interaction and personalisation of learning to SEN students.
Abstract: Business and IT alignment has continued as a
top concern for business and IT executives for almost three
decades. Many researchers have conducted empirical studies on
the relationship between business-IT alignment and performance.
Yet, these approaches, lacking a social perspective, have had little
impact on sustaining performance and competitive advantage. In
addition to the limited alignment literature that explores
organisational learning that is represented in shared understanding,
communication, cognitive maps and experiences.
Hence, this paper proposes an integrated process that enables
social and intellectual dimensions through the concept of
organisational learning. In particular, the feedback and feedforward
process which provide a value creation across dynamic
multilevel of learning. This mechanism enables on-going
effectiveness through development of individuals, groups and
organisations, which improves the quality of business and IT
strategies and drives to performance.
Abstract: Due to insufficient frequency band and tremendous growth of the mobile users, complex computation is needed for the use of resources. Long distance communication began with the introduction of telegraphs and simple coded pulses, which were used to transmit short messages. Since then numerous advances have rendered reliable transfer of information both easier and quicker. Wireless network refers to any type of computer network that is wireless, and is commonly associated with a telecommunications network whose interconnections between nodes is implemented without the use of wires. Wireless network can be broadly categorized in infrastructure network and infrastructure less network. Infrastructure network is one in which we have a base station to serve the mobile users and in the infrastructure less network is one in which no infrastructure is available to serve the mobile users this kind of networks are also known as mobile Adhoc networks. In this paper we have simulated the result for different scenarios with protocols like AODV and DSR; we simulated the result for throughput, delay and receiving traffic in the given scenario.
Abstract: In the traditional concept of product life cycle management, the activities of design, manufacturing, and assembly are performed in a sequential way. The drawback is that the considerations in design may contradict the considerations in manufacturing and assembly. The different designs of components can lead to different assembly sequences. Therefore, in some cases, a good design may result in a high cost in the downstream assembly activities. In this research, an integrated design evaluation and assembly sequence planning model is presented. Given a product requirement, there may be several design alternative cases to design the components for the same product. If a different design case is selected, the assembly sequence for constructing the product can be different. In this paper, first, the designed components are represented by using graph based models. The graph based models are transformed to assembly precedence constraints and assembly costs. A particle swarm optimization (PSO) approach is presented by encoding a particle using a position matrix defined by the design cases and the assembly sequences. The PSO algorithm simultaneously performs design evaluation and assembly sequence planning with an objective of minimizing the total assembly costs. As a result, the design cases and the assembly sequences can both be optimized. The main contribution lies in the new concept of integrated design evaluation and assembly sequence planning model and the new PSO solution method. The test results show that the presented method is feasible and efficient for solving the integrated design evaluation and assembly planning problem. In this paper, an example product is tested and illustrated.